Reading, writing and rolling chrome: Club takes kids back to school in style

Certainly the whining responses to requests for household help say summer vacation is in full effect.

But school is coming fast, almost as fast as the gleaming motorcycles that will usher in back-to-school celebrations for one Cumberland County School.

The Chrome Knights Motorcycle Club will ride this morning, raising funds for students at T.C. Berrien Elementary School.

The event is one of several over the next two weekends to help kids collect needed essentials for the start of school.

“We started doing this last year,” club president and Cumberland County deputy sheriff Ross Green said. “It was an immediate success. This year, we’re hoping to have an even greater turnout.”

The Chrome Knights Motorcycle Club is about more than just raising money for notebooks and pens. In many cases, the money raised is providing food for students who have nothing at home – if they have a home at all.

“There are children who are actually homeless attending school,” Green said. “They have nothing when they leave the school. So we provide funds for whatever the principal thinks is most needed.”

People are welcome to ride on a 95-mile course, escorted by law enforcement. The event will begin at Fort Bragg Harley Davidson on Sycamore Dairy Road. Registration fees are $ 15 for each rider and $ 5 for each passenger. Riders must register between 8 and 9:45 a.m. this morning. For information, check the Chrome Knights Facebook page.

The Chrome Knights aren’t alone, however. Here are some of the back-to-school events taking place in the Cape Fear region:

The Fayetteville Area System of Transit concludes its annual “Stuff the Bus” back-to-school drive to collect donations for Cumberland County Schools. The last day donations will be accepted is today. Donation boxes will be at the FAST Administration Office, 455 Grove St.; the FAST Information Center, 147 Old Wilmington Road; the City Hall lobby, 433 Hay St.; the Police Department lobby, 467 Hay St.; and on all FAST buses.

Fascinate-U Children’s Museum will hold its annual back-to-school bash today from noon to 3 p.m. The event will feature Star Wars special characters, face painting, crafts, vendors, music and more. There will be giveaways while supplies last. There is a $ 4 donation fee. For more information, call the museum at 829-9171.

Kingdom Place, 2610 East 5th Street in Lumberton, will have a back-to-school blast today from 10 a.m. to noon for kids ages 5-12, accompanied by a parent. The church will have games, free food, free clothes and school supplies, devotion and prayer.

Church of the Nazarene, 1844 Rayconda Road, will hold its back-to-school bash today from 3 to 7 p.m. Games, food, prizes, with a movie at 6 p.m. School supply donations welcome.

East Hoke Middle School will be the site of a back-to-school block party on August 26 from noon to 5 p.m. Organizers expect food trucks, bounce houses, vendors, relay games and more for the free event. East Hoke is located at 4702 Fayetteville Road in Raeford.

Haymount United Methodist Church, 1700 Fort Bragg Road, will host a back-to-school worship service on Aug. 26 followed by a blessing of the backpacks and a meal of pizza and cookies. The service begins at 5:30 p.m. For information, call 484-0181.

Staff writer Chick Jacobs can be reached at 486-3515 or cjacobs at @fayobserver.com